Local 16

Local 16A large rooftop bar and an emphasis on locally-grown products have made Local 16 a popular hangout for a mix of foodies, preppies, and hipsters alike.Washington, DCUnited States38.916882-77.037147

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Party Earth Review
A large rooftop bar and an emphasis on locally-grown products have made Local 16 a popular hangout for a mix of foodies, preppies, and hipsters alike.
A casual weeknight vibe quickly turns to a rowdy, overly-packed scene...
...
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Party Earth
Local 16
Review

The Scene

A large rooftop bar and an emphasis on locally-grown products have made Local 16 a popular hangout for a mix of foodies, preppies, and hipsters alike.

U Street Corridor, Washington, DC –

A large rooftop bar and an emphasis on locally-grown products have made Local 16 a popular hangout for a mix of foodies, preppies, and hipsters alike.

A casual weeknight vibe quickly turns to a rowdy, overly-packed scene on weekends when swarms of college students take over the large tiki-styled rooftop deck to flirt with coeds at the bar while a DJ spins a soundtrack of Top 40.

Couples and young professionals looking for a mellower scene can check out the downstairs restaurant and bar, whose red and dark wood décor and warm fringed lanterns create a more intimate and laid-back atmosphere.

Simple bistro-style wooden tables, chairs, and leather booths are snuggled against the walls of the main dining area and face the bar through a half-wall made of stacked liquor bottles. The bar itself has a distinctive pub feel, with a mixture of simple wooden stools and scattered tables, and a large street side window overlooking U Street provides patrons with a perfect people-watching perch.

Once recharged by the downstairs vibe, patrons at Local 16 can easily head back up to the rooftop via a narrow stairway in the rear of the bar, where the scene often changes so quickly it’s like a slap in the face.

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Tip from Lucas:

The rooftop is popular and you can’t reserve tables, so even if you’re lucky enough to snag one during peak hours, there’s a two-hour limit with a food order. Set up a home base early in the bar downstairs.

Crowd

Young professionals, local foodies, college students, and frat types, early 20s to 30s.

Entertainment / Music

Food / Miscellaneous

Seasonal menu of American-inspired cuisine, including a variety of pizzas and an aerie burger with cheddar. Catering menu available for private parties. Valet parking on the weekends from 6pm. Happy Hour M–F 5–8pm.

Local 16
User Reviews

Best in the summer, but crowded throughout the year, Local 16 has been going strong for over a decade. The rooftop bar gets packed in the summer but its one of the better outdoor venues in the U Street area during the summer. The food in the restaurant is traditional and good. Not great. There is virtually always a line at the door on weekends. Local 16 has various rooms upstairs in additional to the bar/restaurant downstairs and the rooftop. This bar is usually a must stop by on my swings through the U Street corridor.

This place strikes a nice balance between having good food (not your standard pub fare) and a cool scene for after dinner. I recommend eating downstairs for dinner - secure a table with your friends BEFORE the after-dinner crowds roll in. Then you can enjoy the scene from your prime real estate.